Depite Labour claiming they only care about Reform and that the Tories are dead, they’ve put some effort into breaking the usual conventions around conference announcements. A longstanding gentlemen’s agreement establishes that you don’t make announcements or do media during the other party’s conference…
The government has completely flouted this rule. Shabana Mahmood literally travelled up to Manchester to tell Laura Kuenssberg why she wants to impose more restrictions on protests. After that, the Labour did a big housing policy announcement with an accompanying media round. Back in 2023, when Sunak went on TV once during Labour Conference, the party complained that it was “a bit below the belt and a bit naff“ and “desperate stuff” which “shows they’re rattled by a changed Labour Party and our plans to change Britain.” See how that went…
Starmer is already doing a Gordon Brown by taking assembled hacks and businesses to India for almost no reason during Tory Conference. Hilariously those same hacks are now pursuing Starmer over a serious and developing scandal involving China and Jonathan Powell…
New employment minister Diana Johnson told a panel on ‘Getting Britain Working’ at Labour Conference that the government has no target date for the achievement of its manifesto promise to reach an employment rate of 80%. There is not even an ambition…Jacqui Smith’s role overseeing skills in both DWP and DFE was touted by Johnson as an indicator of how well Labour is doing on its target. No policy needed…Obvious concerns were raised that the cost of low-paid employment has been fundamentally damaged by the NICs raid. Panel member Kate Bell, Assistant General Secretary of the TUC, boasted that she was advising the government and that there are “questions” about how the National Insurance system is “subsidising” the part-time hospitality sector. These people are on a different planet…
A few weeks back on 5th September Guido reported Starmer’s Political Director Claire Reynolds had left No10. She was widely blamed by multiple Labour factions for her role in the catastrophic handling of welfare reform votes…
Reynolds – the wife of Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds – hasn’t left the high command of Labour politics. She has instead been shunted sideways into a ‘new role’ at Labour HQ, according to sources. As an NEC member wrote this month: “Claire Reynolds, following spells at Labour Women’s Network and 10 Downing Street, now has a senior role at party HQ and promised that a purpose-fuelled national women’s conference in 2026 was her top priority.” Some see Reynolds as a possible Labour HQ organiser for any move against Starmer…
There has been a marked shift in Downing Street’s attitude to handling Andy Burnham. Now that Burnham has launched a series of open attacks in the media, Starmer’s inner circle has decided it’s time to return fire. Bloomberg reports that Number 10’s tactic will be to depict the King of the North as Labour’s ‘Liz Truss’, with his spendthrift leadership pitch evidence of an “unserious and irresponsible” politician who will spook the markets and send the economy into a tailspin. Truss herself says ‘he should be so lucky’…
Rachel Reeves is expected to warn in her conference speech next week that the government can only open the coffers for big spending provided it maintains market confidence – which is admittedly a big ask even for Reeves, let alone Burnham. Other cabinet ministers have been more openly critical of Burnham’s manoeuvring recently: this morning Housing Secretary Steve Reed accused him of taking “pot shots” at Starmer, while Business Secretary Peter Kyle insisted earlier this month it would be best if Burnham stayed in his lane for the duration of his mayoral term. Labour NEC sources have also told Guido they were determined to thwart any attempt by Burnham to return to SW1 via a by-election. They were pleased to see Andrew Gwynne rule out any plans to step aside…
Burnham allies do not consider themselves the aggressors in this fight, despite today’s media salvo. Their view is the Starmerites have been briefing heavily against Burnham for years, and now it’s Keir’s turn to feel the heat. Installing Andy’s close pal Lucy Powell as the new Deputy Leader will be a helpful way to turn up the temperature. Not to mention enlisting the help of the Red Queen from the backbenches…
Unite union has confirmed they won’t be backing either Bridget Phillipson or Lucy Powell in the Deputy Labour Leadership race. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said:
“Britain needs change, not more of the same. Workers are leaving Labour in droves and tinkering will not stem the tide. Unfortunately, this election does not offer the alternative that Britain needs. For everyday people, it is irrelevant. Labour must deliver real change. We need huge investment into our crumbling infrastructure and our public services, a pay rise for British workers and an end to the private profiteering that helps drive inflation. Until the Government makes different choices, they will continue to haemorrhage support.”
Translation: neither of them is good enough…
Housing Secretary Steve Reed has swiped back at Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham for taking “pot shots” at Starmer this morning. Speaking on Sky News, Reed said:
“There used to be people that would take pot shots at Starmer. He then picked this party up off the floor and led us to a record-breaking general election victory. Andy’s doing a great job as Mayor of Manchester. We have other mayors that are doing great work.”
In an interview with the Telegraph last night, Burnham slammed the “climate of fear” imposed by No10, claiming Labour MPs are urging him to run for leader. He also called for the reintroduction of the 50p top rate of income tax, after demanding nationalisation of most utilities. This comes hot on the heels of his New Statesman interview, where he declared Labour needs “wholesale change”…
Reed tried to pour cold water on the speculation this morning, insisting Burnham “will keep doing that work [as Mayor] because that is the commitment he gave until the end of his term”. Burnham himself, however, didn’t rule out a tilt at the crown:
“I stood twice to be leader of the Labour Party. And I think that tells you, doesn’t it?”
Plotting season is open…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”